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Monday, November 21, 2016

Bangladesh, Shelter the Persecuted Rohingyans

When Bangladeshi men, women and children fled from their homeland in 1971 during the time of horrible war, neighbours helped them with open arms. People in West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya and Asham went beyond their means welcoming Bangladeshi refugees, sheltered them, gave them food, clothes and overall they provided the persecuted refugees protection from the wrath of the war.

In 21st century, the recent misfortunes of the persecuted Rohinguya people from Myanmar, is not well reported, as other bigger conflicts from the geopolitically volatile regions get the limelight, overshadowing the tears, agonies and anguish of the bereft Rohinguya families. Bangladesh was born from the ashes of the war, from the pain and millions of innocent people's deaths in intense nine months war. It is time for Bangladesh comes forward with open arms and accept all the persecuted people from Rohingya. Yes, economically it will not be an easy task, most noble and compassionate undertaking are difficult to do, but it is the right thing to do. Over time, Bangladesh can seek international donors' assistance, but at this desperate time, please shelter the war ravaged Rohinguya people without hesitation.

I am also urging the United Nations to take the rightful and timely steps: first do an impartial and thorough investigation to determine what is happening in Myanmar's Rakhine state where per Human Rights Watch article: "satellite pictures from Myanmar's troubled Rakhine State reveal mass destruction in ethnic Rohinguya villages." Some of the description from this tragedy is heart wrenching:

"A Rohingya man named Salaman told AFP he had helped to bury a man and a woman who were shot by soldiers on Saturday.

“Soldiers came in to Doetan village in the evening of the 19th about 5pm,” he reportedly said. “Most of the men from the village ran away because they are afraid of being arrested and tortured. Then they started shooting and two were killed.”

Rights activist Chris Lewa, whose Arakan Project NGO operates in Maungdaw, confirmed the account and said two babies were also swept away as villagers tried to escape across a river.

Since then 100 people have reportedly been killed, hundreds detained by the military and at least 30,000 have fled. Numerous women claim to have been raped by troops.

Image credit: Reuters.com

"A Rohingya Muslim man and his son cry after being caught by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) while illegally crossing at a border check point in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, November 21, 2016

Image credit: Reuters.com

A Rohinguya Muslim woman and her son cry after being caught by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) while illegally crossing at a border check point in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, November 21, 2016

Photo Credit: Associated Press

In this June 13, 2012 file photo, a Rohingya Muslim man who fled Myanmar to Bangladesh to escape religious violence, cries as he pleads from a boat after he and others were intercepted by Bangladeshi border authorities in Taknaf, Bangladesh.